Venting I got discharged from the mental health service.

[SHThrowAway213]

They didn't even help me.
For the past 3 years, I have been trying my hardest to get therapy.
I got referred to the local community mental health team.
Saw a psychiatrist, got prescribed medication.
Saw someone every 2 weeks who assessed me to see if I was severe enough to receive therapy.
She said I could not get therapy, didn't give me a reason why and didn't offer me any alternatives.
Saw the psychiatrist again...by this time I had tried to hang myself twice.
So the psychiatrist had the nurse asses me again. She said no, yet again.
Tried hanging myself, yet again.
Told the psychiatrist, yet again.
She had the nurse see me for one more session to teach me some techniques which I've already tried before.
Didn't help.
In my last phone call with the psychiatrist she asked me if I still had the rope and still had a plan. I answered yes to both of these. She still discharged me in that same phone call.
She said if I was concerned for my safety, to go back to my GP and they will refer me back.
Then I will have to go through this whole process again.
The NHS is underfunded, so it is partially the reason I couldn't get therapy as well.
This whole 3 years have been a waste of time.
I don't want to have to kill myself, but it is the only option at the moment.

 

[Meowkin]

It sounds like you had a terrible experience with the NHS. It's no wonder you're frustrated. It's a sad reality that the NHS is underfunded and can't function well enough to help the people it's meant to help.

 

[SHThrowAway213]

It sounds like you had a terrible experience with the NHS. It's no wonder you're frustrated. It's a sad reality that the NHS is underfunded and can't function well enough to help the people it's meant to help.

It was one of the most frustrating experiences of my life
I was going to go private even though I couldn't really afford it but that is not an option now.
My husband got laid off due to the virus so we definitely can't afford it at all now.

 

[Meowkin]

I'm sorry to hear that. It's really demotivating to have your options drastically cut especially when you've been trying so hard these past 3 years.

 

[SleeplessSoul]

I'm really sorry. I wish I could help more. I've been in a similar position and it freaking sucks doesn't it?

 

[Slow85]

I work for mental health services in the U.K. and sadly this isn't uncommon.

You obviously want help and are doing your best to achieve it . Please put your experiences into a complaints letter to PALs (patient advice liaison service ) for your trust. Explain your frustration and how you have not received treatment , discharged
With a suicidal plans etc. Request your medical
Notes but do this BEFORE you complain.

include that you wish to engage with services and want therapy etc. They have a duty to investigate

I'm so sorry you have had this experience and have to fight so hard to get something you are entitled too!

 

[attell2]

Don't rely on "medical professionals" to help you, they are generally uncaring individuals who couldn't have helped you to begin with.

 

[SHThrowAway213]

I work for mental health services in the U.K. and sadly this isn't uncommon.

You obviously want help and are doing your best to achieve it . Please put your experiences into a complaints letter to PALs (patient advice liaison service ) for your trust. Explain your frustration and how you have not received treatment , discharged
With a suicidal plans etc. Request your medical
Notes but do this BEFORE you complain.

include that you wish to engage with services and want therapy etc. They have a duty to investigate

I'm so sorry you have had this experience and have to fight so hard to get something you are entitled too!

Thanks for this, to be honest this did not cross my mind to do.

 

[Slow85]

Thanks for this, to be honest this did not cross my mind to do.

To be fair you shouldn't have to do iT, but it's often a case of 'those who shout the loudest' and that's awful because when we need it the most we often don't have the strength to fight

 

[Soulless_Angel]

I hate the UK mental health system, my experience has been shocking, sitting having a panic attack in front of a community mental health nurse, blood pouring down my arms where I had just been self harming prior to her visit, I could barely talk.... she saw fit to *discharge* me! This was just under a year ago, its been downhill ever since,

Mental health issues are on the rise, yet the help is declining I don't understand it, something has to give some were,
Personally now I don't want help, am not interested in it, I don't need it, get by in my own way, but I feel for those that are crying out for it and not getting it. PALs would defo be the way to go, kick up a noise and don't let it go if you want help then fight for it, don't give up

 

[BridgeJumper]

Reminds me of when I went to 6 intake assessments in two cities (3 each), trying to get into a treatment center with a 6 month long course of therapy, under the suggestion of the doctors treating me. Only to be told I dont qualify.
And they wonder why I wont stop trying to jump off a bridge
Epic fail.

 

[attell2]

The mental health system is completely effed if someone like you can't find care

 

[terry_a_davis]

Saw a psychiatrist, got prescribed medication.

What med was prescribed? Did it have any effect? Did you take it as recommended (ie daily) and how long for?

 

[SHThrowAway213]

What med was prescribed? Did it have any effect? Did you take it as recommended (ie daily) and how long for?

I have been prescribed Risperdone.
Risperdone have actually help tremendously with my hallucinations.
Yes, I have been taking it daily for around 2 years.

 

[terry_a_davis]

I have been prescribed Risperdone.
Risperdone have actually help tremendously with my hallucinations.
Yes, I have been taking it daily for around 2 years.

Glad they helped you in some way, yet you still want to ctb? Similar thing happened with me. AP's (paliperidone and risperidone) got rid of all my delusions but i think about ctb more than when i was ill.

 

[Slow85]

I have been prescribed Risperdone.
Risperdone have actually help tremendously with my hallucinations.
Yes, I have been taking it daily for around 2 years.

If you gave a diagnoses also look at the NICE guidelines for the suggested treatment for that illness. Include the suggested treatments in your complaint letter and those which you are or aren't getting .

If you don't have a diagnoses - question why they are prescribing you a medication.

Don't rely on "medical professionals" to help you, they are generally uncaring individuals who couldn't have helped you to begin with.

This makes me sad . I have worked for the NHS my whole working career and have seen how we have been unable to care for people as we would like
I have had many bad experiences with mental health teams but it's often not those people who don't want to help- it's the restrictions they work under , the bigger fish who make the decisions .

Granted some people are dicks but generally people don't go into working for the NHS for the money believe me

 

[SHThrowAway213]

Glad they helped you in some way, yet you still want to ctb? Similar thing happened with me. AP's (paliperidone and risperidone) got rid of all my delusions but i think about ctb more than when i was ill.

Yes, still want to CTB, but life is easier without hallucinations

If you gave a diagnoses also look at the NICE guidelines for the suggested treatment for that illness. Include the suggested treatments in your complaint letter and those which you are or aren't getting .

If you don't have a diagnoses - question why they are prescribing you a medication.

I have been diagnosed with PTSD and BPD.
I have looked up the treatments.
I have got none of them

 

[SleeplessSoul]

Yes, still want to CTB, but life is easier without hallucinations

I have been diagnosed with PTSD and BPD.
I have looked up the treatments.
I have got none of them

Having a BPD diagnosis fucks you over when it comes to mental health support! The crisis team always discharge me immediately because they see the BPD label and a lot of them don't know how to respond or have a lot of prejudice. So far I've had these reasons for discharges
- thre's nothing they can do for people with BPD
- hospitalisation doesn't help
- I'm 'too unstable' and 'not unstable enough'

Do you have IAPT in your area? It probably won't be enough given how you are but hopefully something will be able to happen?

 

[Walilamdzi]

I've seen this happen loads, it's so shit. Sorry you've experienced that. Last time I was in hospital, they discharged someone who was eating batteries and a trans ex soldier who was showing me cuts and abrasions all down her arms. It was awful.

 

[terry_a_davis]

Yes, still want to CTB, but life is easier without hallucinations

Yes life is better for me too without delusions, i am better for taking the meds.

 

[RileyTanaka]

So sorry you've been treated this way. I've learned there is no justice for British mental health consumers - they're teaching people to exaggerate their issues in order to access services and then they become so desensitized that they rely on subjective, unfair criteria to figure out who's in the "most need" because there aren't enough resources. It is completely fucked up. Can I ask what your goals are for your mental health? Maybe there's something else we can come up with for you here in the recovery section.

 

[SHThrowAway213]

Having a BPD diagnosis fucks you over when it comes to mental health support! The crisis team always discharge me immediately because they see the BPD label and a lot of them don't know how to respond or have a lot of prejudice. So far I've had these reasons for discharges
- thre's nothing they can do for people with BPD
- hospitalisation doesn't help
- I'm 'too unstable' and 'not unstable enough'

Do you have IAPT in your area? It probably won't be enough given how you are but hopefully something will be able to happen?

There is 2 in the nearest city, but I have tried that before and didnt find it helpful
Thank you for the suggestion anyway

So sorry you've been treated this way. I've learned there is no justice for British mental health consumers - they're teaching people to exaggerate their issues in order to access services and then they become so desensitized that they rely on subjective, unfair criteria to figure out who's in the "most need" because there aren't enough resources. It is completely fucked up. Can I ask what your goals are for your mental health? Maybe there's something else we can come up with for you here in the recovery section.

It is fucked up.
To be honest I wanted to lessen my symptoms and be able to handle things like a normal adult

 

[Slow85]

I have been diagnosed with PTSD and BPD.
I have looked up the treatments.
I have got none of them

Include this in your complaint . You need to be clued up...

Where abouts (area ) do you live ? Often there are specialist services you can ask for a referral to. It will usually have to go through OATs (our of area treatment ) panel but a complaint behind you will help push it along

 

[SHThrowAway213]

Include this in your complaint . You need to be clued up...

Where abouts (area ) do you live ? Often there are specialist services you can ask for a referral to. It will usually have to go through OATs (our of area treatment ) panel but a complaint behind you will help push it along

I live in East Devon.
Do I have to ask my GP or can I self refer?

 

[Soulless_Angel]

So sorry you've been treated this way. I've learned there is no justice for British mental health consumers - they're teaching people to exaggerate their issues in order to access services and then they become so desensitized that they rely on subjective, unfair criteria to figure out who's in the "most need" because there aren't enough resources. It is completely fucked up. Can I ask what your goals are for your mental health? Maybe there's something else we can come up with for you here in the recovery section.

Im also noting that many people are calling mental health issues over a simple bad day, just because covid is not allowing them their normal life!

 

[Slow85]

I live in East Devon.
Do I have to ask my GP or can I self refer?

Your mental health trust will have a PALS for you to raise your complaint . Include dates and times if you can. Be very thorough.
To the more specialists units you will need support of you doc or psychiatrist but often if there is a complaint behind it , it moves quicker

 

[asifkhanny12345]

They did the same to me ive been reffered back to the service again

 

[BPD Barbie]

This makes me sad . I have worked for the NHS my whole working career and have seen how we have been unable to care for people as we would like
I have had many bad experiences with mental health teams but it's often not those people who don't want to help- it's the restrictions they work under , the bigger fish who make the decisions .

Granted some people are dicks but generally people don't go into working for the NHS for the money believe me

I feel the same way. I worked for ambulance in the UK and it almost breaks my heart to see how the system fails people and turns them against the NHS. To the OP, I'm so sorry, I wish I could give you my psychiatrist and nurses that I've been under. They've been so amazing and I felt so lucky. You can always ask to see other doctors and get a second opinion if you want. Don't stop trying. I hope you can find some way ❤

 

[Lara Francis]

I work for mental health services in the U.K. and sadly this isn't uncommon.

You obviously want help and are doing your best to achieve it . Please put your experiences into a complaints letter to PALs (patient advice liaison service ) for your trust. Explain your frustration and how you have not received treatment , discharged
With a suicidal plans etc. Request your medical
Notes but do this BEFORE you complain.

include that you wish to engage with services and want therapy etc. They have a duty to investigate

I'm so sorry you have had this experience and have to fight so hard to get something you are entitled too!

You work for mental health services and are on this site !
Are medical notes altered if u request them after a complaint.?

 

[Cashewmilk]

Same story in Canada, underfunded and hopeless. Don't believe the hype about universal healthcare, it's not true. There should be both private and public, so the system isn't overwhelmed and people have choices. I had a fear that I would get denied here too, even though my illness is so severe I'm mentally crippled... I just don't trust these "professionals", why did they choose this profession in the first place? What are their intentions... certainly not all wish to truly help.